Pest Profile Photo credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Common Name: True Katydid, Common True Katydid, Northern Katydid, Rough-winged Katydid Scientific Name: Pterophylla camellifolia Order and Family: Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae Size and Appearance: True katydids are green in color and 1.5 to 2.5 inches in length. Despite being nearly flightless, they possess a set of wings. The leathery green front wings have prominent veins that closely resemble a leaf. The wings are positioned so that they form a “roof” shape on the back of the insect. Females possess a long curved ovipositor (nearly as long as the abdomen) used for depositing eggs in the bark of trees. Male katydids produce a loud chirping noise by rubbing their front wings together. This stridulation is used to attract females. Both sexes have the ability for stridulation, but females usually make this sound while they are being handled. Immature katydids look much like matures with underdeveloped wings. Length Appearance (mm) Egg 6mm Eggs are dark gray colored and thin with beveled edges and pointy ends. Females lay eggs with their ovipositor, placing them in bark of trees or in stems. Eggs overwinter, then hatch in the spring. One generation per year. Larva/Nymph Green colored, similar to adults with no wings, stay high in the trees feeding on leaves. Adult 45-55mm Green color with leathery roundish wings that have veins like leaves. Females have long curved ovipositors. Pupa (if applicable) Type of feeder (Chewing, sucking, etc.): Nymph: Chewing; Adult: Chewing Host plant/s: Foliage of deciduous trees and shrubs (especially oak), grasses, fruit crops Description of Damage (larvae and adults): Damage occurs to plant foliage and may include leaf shot holes, leaf notching, and possible leaf skeletonizing by immatures. Damage by katydids is most often not severe. This species stays high in the tree’s canopy most of the time. References: Barnes, J.K. (2003, October). True Katydid. University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum. Retrieved from http://www.uark.edu/ua/arthmuse/truekaty.html Cotinus, Quinn, M. (2004, September). Species Pterophylla camellifolia - Common True Katydid. Retrieved from: http://bugguide.net/node/view/7075 Milne, L., Milne, M. (1997). True Katydid. In National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. (pp. 435). Chanticleer Press. .